Multi-compartment package assembly for medical implements

Abstract

A package is provided to include first and second sheets being releasably sealed together in a manner to define multiple compartments, each having one or more medical implements. A perimeter sealed region can have a seal width greater than an intermediate sealed region. A longitudinal intermediate sealed region and a transverse intermediate sealed region can be arranged within the perimeter sealed region. Formation of the perimeter sealed region along first and second ends of the package can be subsequent to the perimeter sealed region along third and fourth ends of the package. Before the formation, compartments having an opening facing the first end can receive medical implements, and compartments having an opening facing the second end can receive medical implements. The medical implements can remain uncovered by individual pouches when inserted into the respective compartments, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and environmental wastes.

1. A multiple compartment package for medical implements, comprising:
 a polymeric first sheet; and 
 a gas permeable bacteria resistant second sheet overlaying the first sheet to define first and second ends of the package, and third and fourth ends of the package interconnecting the first and second ends; 
 the first and second sheets being releasably sealed together to define a perimeter sealed region formed along the first, second, third, and fourth ends of the package, and releasably sealed together to define intermediate sealed regions formed in an intermediate region of the package defined between the first, second, third, and fourth ends of the package, the perimeter sealed region having a first width greater than a second width of each intermediate sealed region, wherein the intermediate sealed regions comprise at least one longitudinal intermediate sealed region which extends in a longitudinal direction at least partially between the first and second ends, and at least one transverse intermediate sealed region which extends in a transverse direction at least partially between the third and fourth ends, wherein the intermediate sealed regions are arranged relative to the perimeter sealed region to define a plurality of compartments, 
 wherein at least one of the compartments has an opening facing the first end of the package to receive at least one first medical implement therein, and at least one of the compartments has an opening facing the second end of the package to receive at least one second medical implement therein prior to formation of the perimeter sealed region corresponding to the first and second ends of the package. 
 
     
     
       2. The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinal intermediate sealed region comprises one or more first segments that intersect portions of the perimeter sealed region corresponding to the first and second ends of the package to define one or more first compartments with openings facing both of the first and second ends of the package before said formation. 
     
     
       3. The package of  claim 2 , wherein one of the first segments is adjacent to a portion of the perimeter sealed region along one of the third and fourth ends of the package. 
     
     
       4. The package of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one transverse intermediate sealed region intersects one of the third and fourth ends and the first segment to define a second compartment with an opening facing the first end of the package before said formation, and to define a third compartment with an opening facing the second end of the package before said formation. 
     
     
       5. The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one longitudinal intermediate sealed region comprises one or more third segments that intersect both of portions of the perimeter sealed region along either the first end or the second end of the package and the at least one transverse intermediate sealed region to define one or more third compartments with an opening facing either of the first end or the second end of the package before said formation. 
     
     
       6. The package of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the perimeter sealed region along the first end of the package has a chevron shape. 
     
     
       7. The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transverse intermediate sealed region has a chevron shape. 
     
     
       8. The package of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymeric sheet comprises a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) layer and a polyester layer. 
     
     
       9. The package of  claim 1 , wherein the second sheet comprises a high-density polyethylene spun fabric. 
     
     
       10. The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transverse intermediate sealed region is disposed such that when the first and second sheets are peeled, one of the compartments formed by the at least one transverse sealed region remains sealed while one of the compartments is opened to provide external access to the at least one first medical implement contained therein. 
     
     
       11. The package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one transverse intermediate sealed region comprises a first transverse intermediate sealed region and a second transverse intermediate sealed region. 
     
     
       12. A multiple compartment package for medical implements, wherein the package includes an intermediate product having a polymeric first sheet, and a gas permeable bacteria resistant second sheet overlaying the first sheet to define first and second ends of the intermediate product, and third and fourth ends of the intermediate product interconnecting the first and second ends, the first and second sheets being releasably sealed together to define first and second sealed regions of a perimeter sealed region that are formed along portions of the respective third and fourth ends of the intermediate product, and releasably sealed together to define intermediate sealed regions formed in an intermediate region of the intermediate product, the first and second intermediate sealed regions of the perimeter sealed region having a first width greater than a second width of each intermediate sealed region, wherein the intermediate sealed regions comprise at least one longitudinal intermediate sealed region which extends in a longitudinal direction, and at least one transverse intermediate sealed region which extends in a transverse direction, wherein the intermediate sealed regions are arranged relative to the first and second sealed regions of the perimeter sealed region to define a plurality of compartments having compartment openings that face at least one of the first end and the second end of the intermediate product, the package made by a process comprising:
 inserting at least one first medical implement into at least one first compartment that has an opening facing either of the first or second ends of the intermediate product; 
 forming a third sealed region of the perimeter sealed region that intersects the first and second sealed regions to close the opening of the at least one first compartment; 
 inserting at least one second medical implement into at least one second compartment that has an opening facing the other of the first or second ends of the intermediate product; and 
 forming a fourth sealed region of the perimeter sealed region that intersects the first and second sealed regions to close the opening of the at least one second compartment, whereby a final product of the package is formed. 
 
     
     
       13. The package of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one longitudinal intermediate sealed region comprises one or more first segments that intersect portions of the perimeter sealed region along the first and second ends of the package to define one or more first compartments with openings facing both of the first and second ends of the package prior to the forming steps. 
     
     
       14. The package of  claim 13 , wherein one of the first segments is adjacent to a portion of the perimeter sealed region along one of the third and fourth ends of the package. 
     
     
       15. The package of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one transverse intermediate sealed region intersects one of the third and fourth ends and the first segment to define a second compartment with an opening facing the first end of the package before said formation, and to define a third compartment with an opening facing the second end of the package prior to the forming steps. 
     
     
       16. The package of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one longitudinal intermediate sealed region comprises one or more third segments that intersect both of portions of the perimeter sealed region along either the first end or the second end of the package and the at least one transverse intermediate sealed region to define one or more third compartments with an opening facing either of the first end or the second end of the package prior to the forming steps.